This Story Originally appeared in Transgender Tapestry #112, Summer 2007.

In 1997 at the age of 47, when my arms were no longer long enough to assist me in being able to see up close anymore, I broke down and bought my first set of ?cheaters.? Since that time, I, like many others my age, depend on these assistive devices to be able to see up close. I hate this fact, and often wish that there would be a way, short of surgery,to be able to see clearly again without these annoying glasses perched on my nose.

Local Transgender People and Allies Host Program
(Washington, DC) Ten transgender and allied organizations will hold a 9th annual Day of Remembrance candle light observance on November 20 to remember the victims of hate violence lost locally and around the country.

WHY: The Transgender Day of Remembrance memorializes those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder on November 28th, 1998 kicked off the "Remembering Our Dead" web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999. Rita Hester's murder ? like most anti-transgender murder cases ? has yet to be solved.

Veterans Day is one the three most important days in this country when it comes to
patriotism and pride. At the eleventh minute, of the eleventh hour, of the eleventh
day, of the eleventh month, we start the day honoring all the veterans who have
served this country, both in peace and in war. Today, we have 26 million military
veterans in America, but sadly, we lose 1500 WWII each day and a similar number of
Korean War veterans as well. Soon, the Vietnam War veterans will pass away in
similar numbers.

On Sunday November 18, Boston's transgender community, with
family, friends and allies, will gather at the Arlington Street Church to remember and honor transgender victims of violence. The Remembrance observance will be preceded by an afternoon Town Hall Meeting conducted by the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC).

Tiffany Club of New England's 28th annual "First Event 2008 Transgender Conference", to be held January 16 to the 20th 2008 at the Boston Marriott Peabody in Peabody, Massachusetts, seeks presenters for workshops and seminars of interest to the transgender community. Single page proposals are needed by November 1, 2007 for inclusion.

Activists from all across the US descended on the HRC fundraising dinner in Washington DC on Saturday, October 6 2007. They were protesting the HRC decision NOT to oppose a newly introduced version of the "Employment Non-Discrimination Act" (ENDA) that was stripped of the language which would have protected transgender people.

"We are very disappointed and angry that any civil rights organization claiming to advocate for our rights can turn their backs on us when the going gets tough," said Ethan St.Pierre, board chair of NTAC. "It amounts to a betrayal, since HRC earlier promised to support only an inclusive ENDA."

The Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Affairs(LGBT),in conjunction with Transgendered Health Empowerment,Transgendered Education Association and other community based organizations will be organizing some events to help the transgendered community find jobs in the fall of 2007.

A request for participants in two research projects for the Transgender Community is being presented to those who qualify. The research projects concurrently being conducted are: 1) Family relationships and their impact on life satisfaction and self esteem issues for transsexuals of color. 2) Grief, Loss, and Discrimination issues related to Transgenders within or aged out of the Foster Care System. If you would volunteer to participate please email Stephen "Arch" Erich, Ph.D., LCSW Director Bachelor Social Work Program at the University of Houston-Clear Lake erich@uhcl.edu